Ann Rehabil Med.  2017 Apr;41(2):273-278. 10.5535/arm.2017.41.2.273.

Immediate Effect of a Single Session of Whole Body Vibration on Spasticity in Children With Cerebral Palsy

• Park C
• Park ES
• Choi JY
• Cho Y
• Rha DW

• KMID: 2389486
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.2.273

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immediate effect of a single session of whole body vibration (WBV) on lower extremity spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
METHODS
Seventeen children with spastic CP were included. A single session of WBV was administered: 10-minute WBV, 1-minute rest, and 10-minute WBV. The effects of WBV were clinically assessed with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) before and immediately, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, and 4 hours after WBV.
RESULTS
Spasticity of the ankle plantarflexor, as assessed by MAS and MTS scores, was reduced after WBV. Post-hoc analysis demonstrated that, compared to baseline, the MAS significantly improved for a period of 1 hour after WBV, and the R1 and R2-R1 of the MTS significantly improved for a period of 2 hours after WBV.
CONCLUSION
A single session of WBV improves spasticity of ankle plantarflexors for 1-2 hours in children with CP. Future studies are needed to test whether WBV is an effective preparation before physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Keyword

Vibration; Muscle spasticity; Cerebral palsy

MeSH Terms

Ankle
Cerebral Palsy*
Child*
Humans
Lower Extremity
Muscle Spasticity*
Occupational Therapy
Vibration*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Study timeline. WBV, whole body vibration; T, time points of assessment.

• 

  Fig. 2 Changes in Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) after whole body vibration therapy. *p<0.05 vs. baseline (post-hoc test).

• 

  Fig. 3 Changes in Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) scores after whole body vibration therapy. (A) R1 angle, (B) R2 angle, and (C) R2–R1. *p<0.05 vs. baseline (post-hoc test).

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